Foundations
of Western Art

Overview

In this full-immersion semester program students explore the history and development of art in the western world from ancient Greek beginnings to contemporary art.

The program is introductory but intensive. It is for students aiming to build a strong understanding of western art history and to develop excellent visual skills. It also serves as a gateway program for students with an undergraduate degree in a subject other than art history who hope to apply for a postgraduate program at Sotheby’s Institute.

Students learn about key stylistic developments, methods, materials and techniques. The program also deals with the broader social, political and cultural contexts which defined the shape of artistic achievement across a very long period.

In addition to the art historical content, the program includes a series of sessions entitled ‘Talk To The Professionals’ during which students have the opportunity to meet museum curators, auction house specialists, fine art dealers, art critics, art consultants and art restorers who will share their own experience of these roles and the paths that brought them there.

Structure, Teaching Methods And Assignments

The program is divided into two units taught consecutively across the semester. The first unit explores developments from Ancient Greece to Baroque and the second unit moves from Rococo to Contemporary. Students are able to take one of the units only, if preferred, or to take both units across different semesters.

The teaching approach emphasizes object-based learning, enabling students to gain confidence in analyzing and identifying a wide range of art objects, both in a classroom setting and through numerous study visits to London’s world-class collections. The unique opportunity to study objects close-up enhances students’ critical and visual skills.

The teaching is intensive and supportive, with an emphasis on individual and small-group learning.

The course assignments are not limited to essay writing but are also designed to assess a diverse range of skills that reflect a variety of art world professions. For example, assignments include an exhibition review and a group project in which students curate an imagined exhibition.

Field Trips And Study Visits

First-hand encounters with art works and buildings are an integral part of the learning experience that enable students to gain a direct understanding of the artistic styles and movements dealt with on the course.

A four-day field trip to Rome features visits to a large range of major monuments and artworks. Recent trips to Rome have included a visit to the Sistine Chapel outside of public opening hours and an exclusive visit to the Vatican Museum’s ancient marble and paintings restoration laboratories.

London is a major center for the western art; therefore the course includes a wide variety of faculty-led visits to museums and galleries, such as:

British Museum

National Gallery

Tate Britain

Tate Modern

Victoria and Albert Museum

Wallace Collection

Westminster Abbey

Courtauld Institute Gallery

There is also a day trip to Cambridge which includes a handling session at the Fitzwilliam Museum.

Credits And Validation

The program is validated by The University of Manchester, one of the UK’s leading universities. Students who complete the program successfully will gain 60 University of Manchester undergraduate credits.

This generally translates to 16 undergraduate credits or 12 graduate credits in the US system and 30 credits in the European (ECTS) system. Students currently enrolled at other colleges or universities should be aware that transfer of credit is always made at the discretion of the accepting institution. Therefore, applicants should confirm the feasibility of credit transfer with faculty advisors at their home school in advance of registration.

Admission To The Program

There are no formal admission requirements except a good level of English language competence (a minimum IELTS score of 6.0. or TOEFL score of 78 IBT). Although no prior knowledge is required, the Institute offers places to motivated students with a passion for art and the art world. Applicants are interviewed in person or by phone. Our students are of all ages and come from a wide variety of educational and professional backgrounds. The international make-up of the student body at Sotheby’s Institute of Art generates a rich and dynamic learning environment.
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